Detroit Lions not committed to keeping a third quarterback

Justin Rogers | MLive.comThe Detroit Lions won't make a decision to keep a third quarterback until next month.

NOTE: This article was updated Monday to clarify that Kellen Moore is eligible for the practice squad this season.

ALLEN PARK -- It's becoming more and more common for NFL teams to only carry two quarterbacks. With just 53 roster spots, it can be difficult for a franchise to justify retaining a player whose primary purpose is to be an insurance policy.

The Detroit Lions have had a third quarterback on the roster as long as Jim Schwartz has been the team's head coach, but with starter Matthew Stafford showing far more durability in recent years, the team hasn't needed anything beyond backup Shaun Hill the past two seasons.

In addition to Stafford and Hill, the Lions have Kellen Moore and Thaddeus Lewis in training camp. Moore, an undrafted rookie out of Boise State, made the team's final roster out of camp in 2012, but Schwartz wouldn't commit to keeping the extra depth this year.

"That decision will come at the end of training camp," Schwartz said. "How that works out with numbers, we generally don't go into training camp saying 'x' number of wide receivers are going to make it. We have a certain number of players, and once you get past that, you want the best 53.

"You have figure out a way to get the best 53. It becomes more talent at that point than numbers at a position."

Two factors playing in Moore and Lewis' favor is Hill's age and contract status. The veteran will turn 34 years old in January and is entering the final season of his current deal. Keeping a third quarterback allows the Lions to groom an eventual replacement for Hill as Stafford's backup.

If Detroit does keep just two quarterbacks, they would likely look to add an eligible option to the practice squad. Moore is eligible for the practice squad this season.